The Eisenhorn TrilogyXenos(科幻战争)-第24部分

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airborne　…　and　there　was　nothing　that　might　be　turned　into　an　offensive　weapon　apart　from　a　mining　laser　under　the　chin　of　the　cockpit。
A　mining　laser　with　fierce　cutting　power　and　a　range　of　about　five　metres。
'Take　us　deeper　into　the　cavern；'　I　said；　consulting　the　display　on　the　pod's　geologicae　auspex。
'Away　from　the　fight？'
'We　can't　engage　that　thing…　so　we　find　the　Lith　instead。　And　that　return　has　got　to　be　it。'
There　was　a　pulsing　cursor　on　the　screen：　big；　unmistakable。
Cultists　on　the　cave　floor　blasted　at　us　as　we　zipped　over　them　and　headed　off　down　the　long；　volcanic　cavern。　Spumes　of　pyroclastic
wrath　detonated　up　from　the　lava　lakes　and　threatened　to　envelop　us。
Then　we　saw　the　Lith。
It　had　been　buried　in　a　plug　of　obsidian　jutting　from　the　cavern　wall；　but　serious　excavation　work　had　been　done　to　reveal　it。
Heavy　mining　pods　and　anti…grav　drill　platforms　sat　on　the　ash　slopes　below　it；　and　the　ground　was　covered　in　fragments　of　obsidian。
It　was；　as　Bure　had　described；　a　perfect　decahedron　four　metres　across；　dark　green　and　glassy　like　water…ice。　It　glowed　with　an　inner
light。　Even　from　a　distance；　it　felt　malevolent。　I　sensed　an　unnerving　tickling　at　the　edge　of　my　psychic　range。　Medea　looked　sick。
'I　don't　want　to　get　any　closer；'　she　said　suddenly。
'We　have　to！'
'And　do　what？'
I　wondered　if　we　could　cut　it　with　the　mining　laser。　I　wondered　indeed　if　that　would　do　any　good。　I　doubted　we　would　make　much　of
dent　in　it　even　if　we　power…dived　the　pod　at　it。
Yet；　the　cultists　had　shaved　splinters　from　it　to　promulgate　their　evil。　It　was　vulnerable…　unless　it　had　somehow　allowed　the　splinters
to　be　removed。
We　certainly　couldn't　move　it。
I　could　feel　it　now；　whispering　in　my　head。　There　were　no　words；　just　a　murmur　that　chilled　my　spine。　Insidious；　slow…　slow　like
eons　of　geological　time；　slow　like　a　glacier　or　a　tectonic　plate。　It　spoke　softly　and　without　haste；　gently　unfolding　its　seductive
message。　It　had　no　need　to　rush。　It　had　all　the　time　in　the　galaxy…
The　pod　yawed　wildly。　I　started　and　looked　around。　Medea　had　lost　partial　control　because　she　had　turned　to　be　violently　sick　over　the
side　of　her　seat。　Her　skin　was　blanched　and　she　was　panting　and　sweating。
'I…　I　can't…'　she　gasped。　'Don't　make　me　go　any　closer…'
She　had　reached　her　limits。　I　leaned　over　and　put　my　hand　against　the　side　of　her　head。　'Sleep；'　I　said　softly；　using　the　will。
She　sank　into　merciful　unconsciousness。
I　took　the　controls。
I　was　no　flier　like　Medea　Betancore；　and　for　a　moment；　I　thought　I　was　going　to　dive　us　nose…first　into　the　lake　of　bubbling　magma　as
I　fumbled　with　the　actuators。
But　Medea's　late　father　had　trained　me　well　enough。　I　swooped　low　over　the　pool　of　molten　rock；　creating　a　Shockwave　vortex　in　the
brimstone；　and　banked　around　a　massive　anthragate　column　that　rose　up　into　the　jagged　roof。　There　was　just　a　last　wide　lake　of　fire
between　me　and　the　ash　shore　where　the　Lith　was　exposed。
It　was　whispering　again；　but　I　shook　it　off。　I　had　trained　my　mind　hard　to　resist　the　ministrations　of　Chaos　and　its　psychic　wiles。　This
was　how　it　turned　weak　minds。　This　was　how　it　had　polluted　and　tainted　the　population　of　Cinchare　minehead。　The　whispering…　the
formless；　shapeless　words　of　power　that　drew　mankind　into　the　embrace　of　the　warp…
An　idea　struck　me。　I　like　to　think　it　was　an　idea　born　out　of　the　same　pure　simplicity　that　Bure　had　celebrated　in　Aemos。　A　perfect；
simple　possibility。
I　shrugged　from　my　mind　my　fears　for　the　life　of　Aemos　and　the　magos。　The　blasphemy　might　already　have　torn　the　translithopede
apart　in　the　cavern　far　behind　me。　If　they　were　not　beyond　hope；　then　this　was　the　best　I　could　do　for　them。
Risking　a　free　hand；　I　reached　sideways　and　activated　the　pod's　vox…ponder；　setting　it　to　record。　Then；　concentrating　on　my　steering
once　more；　I　began　to　speak；　clearly　and　loudly；　dredging　words　up　from　my　memory。　Long　ago；　on　my　birth　planet；　DeKere's　World；
as　a　child；　standing　in　the　long　hall　of　the　primary　scholam　with　the　other　pupils；　reciting　together…
A　collision　warning　blared；　and　I　veered　to　the　left　in　time　to　glimpse　a　prospecting　pod　that　filled　my　cockpit　windows　for　a　moment
before　racing　past。
Two　bright　yellow　cursors　had　appeared　on　my　auspex　display。　The　beacon　locators　of　prospecting　pods；　like　the　ones　that　had　chased
us　into　the　mine　system。
The　one　that　had　tried　to　collide　with　me　was　turning　wide　over　the　lava　lake。　The　other　was　coming　in　on　an　intercept　course。　I　swung
round　to　face　it　and　then　gulled　away　at　the　last　minute。　The　pass　was　close；　close　enough　to　see　the　Ortog　Promethium　symbols　on　its
flank。　Close　enough　to　see　Enforcer　Kaleil's　face　through　the　cockpit　ports。
The　first　pod；　an　Imperial　Allied　symbol　just　visible　through　the　heat…flaked　paint；　came　in　and　blocked　my　route　to　the　shore　and　the
Lith。　Its　driver；　unidentifiable；　had　smashed　the　window　lights　out　and　was　firing　a　lascarbine　out　from　the　cockpit。　Despite　our
comparative　speeds；　I　felt　several　shots　land　home；　banging　into　the　pod's　fuselage。　I　steered　away；　trying　desperately　not　to　break　my
recitation　as　I　concentrated　on　the　air　duel。
I　began　to　chant　the　words　like　a　mantra。
As　I　turned　from　the　Imperial　Allied　pod；　I　met　Kaleil's　vessel　head　on。　I　rolled　hard　to　evade；　but　still　we　clipped　and　the　whole　pod
shook。
Warning　lights　lit　up　across　the　control　console。　I　had　thruster　damage　and　reduced　manoeuvring　ability。　The　lava　lake　flashed　up　to
consume　me　but　I　climbed　hard；　away　from　the　ash　beach。
All　the　while；　my　recitation　continued。
The　Imperial　Allied　pod　was　on　my　tail；　streaking　the　air　with　las…shots。　We　whipped　hard　around　the　anthragate　pillar；　but　I　couldn't
shake　him。　I　tried　to　think　what　Medea　would　do。　What　Midas　would　have　done。　For　a　moment；　my　words　faltered　as　I　planned　and
executed　my　frantic　response。
The　pod　was　right　behind　me。　I　braked　hard；　and　managed　to　spin　the　anti…grav　machine　in　place　using　the　attitude　jets；　dropping　my
nose　as　if　curtseying　to　my　attacker。　And　I　ignited　my　mining　laser。
The　Imperial　Allied　pod　was　far　too　close　to　my　rear　to　effect　a　turn　or　a　brake。　I　think　he　was　trying　for　a　collision；　but　I　was　just　too
high　for　him。　He　ran　in　under　my　hull　at　full　thrust；　so　close　he　tore　the　lighting　array　and　the　auspex　antennae　off　the　underside　of　my
pod。
He　also　ran　straight　through　the　incandescent　spear　of　my　mining　laser。　It　sliced　the　Imperial　Allied　pod　lengthways　and　sent　the
disintegrating　halves　spinning　away　into　the　white　hot　magma　below。
My　pod　was　half　crippled　now　from　the　pair　of　impacts。　I　continued　my　recitation；　hoping　the　brief　lapse　wouldn't　matter。
With　its　antennae　gone；　the　auspex　was　blind；　but　I　could　see　Kaleil　anyway。　He　was　gunning　across　the　lake　straight　for　me。

I　hovered　in　place。　There　was　a　time　for　action　and；　as　I　had　already　gambled；　a　time　for　words。　I　switched　off　the　vox…ponder　and
keyed　the　open　channel。
'Kaleil？'
'Horn！'
'Not　Horn…　Inquisitor　Eisenhorn。'
Silence。　He　was　two　hundred　metres　and　closing　at　a　speed　that　would　wipe　us　both　out。
I　pressed　the　vox…mic　close　to　my　mouth　and　used　every　shred　of　my　will。
'Don't；'　I　said。
The　Ortog　Promethium　pod　veered　and　then　dived　straight　down　into　the　lava　lake。　A　halo　of　fire　broke　up　from　the　slow；　undulating
splash　it　made　in　the　liquid　rock。
I　LIMPED　MY　pod　over　to　the　ash　beach　and　set　down　about　twenty　metres　short　of　the　Lith。　Medea　moaned　in　her　sleep。　I　dreaded　the
dreams　that　might　be　boiling　through　her　subconscious。
'Get　out　of　my　head！'　I　snarled　aloud　at　the　Lith's　persistent　whispering。
It　took　me　a　moment　to　rewind　the　vox…ponder　recording　and　set　it　to　a　continuous　loop。　Then　I　diverted　its　signal　into　the　echosounding
sonar　system　that　the　pod　used　to　supplement　its　auspex　in　assay　and　location　work。　I　twiddled　the　dials　until　the　powerful
sonar　was　aimed　directly　at　the　malevolent　decahedron。
Conveyed　in　fierce　ultra…sonic　pulses；　my　recording　blasted　the　Lith。　The　Emperor's　Prayer　of　Abrogation　Against　the　Warp；　learned
by　rote　by　every　good　schoolchild　of　the　Imperium。　An　innocent　blessing　against　the　darkness；　a　banishment　of　Chaos。　I　doubted　it
had　ever　been　used　so　actively。　I　doubted　my　scholam　tutors　had　ever　conceived　of　such　a　use　for　that　simple；　sing…song　declaration。
'Words；'　I　murmured。　'Your　corrupt　whispers　against　my　words　of　power。　How　do　you　like　that？'
I　pushed　the　sonar　gain　to　maximum。　In　terms　of　sonics　alone；　the　pulses　would　have　stunned　a　man　to　unconsciousness　and　snapped
his　bones。
For　a　good　minute　or　more；　I　feared　it　was　having　no　effect。
Then　the　whispering　ceased。　It　became　a　subsonic　moaning　of　rage　and　anguish；　and　finally　agony。
The　Lith's　surface　became　discoloured；　as　if　mottled　by　mould。　It　shuddered；　cracking　the　obsidian　around　it。
Then　its　inner　luminescence　sputtered　and　went　out；　and　it　became　indistinguishable　from　the　black　volcanic　glass　that　surrounded　it。
WHEN　THE　LITH　died；　so　did　its　servants；　and　so　did　the　blasphemy。　Checking　that　Medea　was　now　just　sleeping　soundly；　I　nursed　the
damaged　pod　back　down　the　cavern　in　time　to　see　the　last　stringy　remnants　of　the　foul　worm　combusting　and　sliding　off　the
translithopede's　buckled　hull。　The　air　was　thick　with　dirty　cinders　and　the　smoke　of　burning　fat。
The　burning　corpses　of　cultists　littered　the　chamber　floor。　Motionless　stalkers　stood　in　their　midst；　cycling　on　pause；　waiting　for　the
next　command。
BROKEN　AND　TWISTED；　the　great　burrower　was　at　least　intact。　When　I　brought　the　pod　into　the　dock…bay；　Bure's　own　tech…adepts
themselves　emerged　to　take　care　of　Medea's　unconscious　body。
The　companionway　floor　was　raked　over　at　an　angle。　Bure's　engineer　priests　were　still　trying　to　repair　the　inertial　dampers。
Acrid　smoke　filled　the　air；　unpleasantly　scented　by　the　fat…fires　outside。　Aemos　met　me　in　the　doorway　of　the　control　chamber　and
hugged　me　briefly　in　a　rare　display　of　affection。　Bure　had　shed　his　orange　robe。　A　sinister；　stark；　inhuman　silhouette；　he　watched　our
very　human　exchange　from　the　edge　of　the　podium；　backlit　by　fires　raging　in　the　workstations　below。
'We're　fine　now；　old　friend；'　I　said　to　Aemos。
He　broke　the　embrace；　as　if　guilty。　'You　did　well；　Gregor。　Marvellously！　I…　I　didn't　mean　any　disrespect…'
It　was　at　times　like　that　I　wished　I　could　still　smile。　I　am　too　used　to　my　face　being　the　impassive　mask　Gorgone　Locke　gave　me。
Using　my　will　gently；　so　he　might　understand　the　truth　of　my　words；　I　said；　'No　disrespect　taken；　old　friend。'
Aemos　smiled　sheepishly　and　turned　away。
His　suspensors　hissing；　Bure　glided　over　to　me。　To　my　surprise；　he　hugged　me　too。　It　was　brief　and　clumsy；　his　servo　arms　conveying
no　warmth。　I　felt　terrible　sorrow　for　him　then。　His　human　core　had　been　moved　by　the　events　and　he　had　seen　and　copied　Aemos's
impromptu　display　of　affection。　Just　then；　I　believe；　he　passionately　wanted　to　be　human　again。　Just　for　a　moment。　But　his　vicing　arms
had　no　more　emotion　in　them　than　the　tight　handshake　with　which　he　had　first　greeted　me。
He　swung　away；　his　arms　to　his　sides。　His　green　eye…lights　flicked　back　and　forth　over　the　repair　teams　as　they　worked　to　contain　the
damage。
'I　have　never　said；'　he　began；　his　voxed　voice　toneless　and　cold；　though　it　tried　to　be　neither　of　those　things。　'Hapshant。　He　thought　the
world　of　you；　Eisenhorn。　He　told　me　once　that　he　believed　you　would　eclipse　his　career　with　your　own。　I　think　he　was　right。'
'Thank　you；　magos。'
He　turned　around　to　look　at　me。　His　eye　were　tiny　spots　of　emerald　fire。
'You　never　did　say　what　brought　you　here。'
'Recent　matters　somewhat　overtook　us；　magos。'
'Yes。　But　still；　you　never　did　say…'
'I　have　to　explain　the…　circumstances　that　have　changed　in　my　life；　magos。　I　will　explain　them　carefully；　in　the　hope　that　you　will
understand　and　not　think　badly　of　me。　But　first…　I　gave　you　something　to　safeguard　and　study；　a　century　ago。　I'd　like　to　see　it　again。'

IT　WAS　IRONIC；　as　if　some　karmic　balance　was　at　work。　Of　course；　I　didn't　believe　in　such　things。　Bure　had　burrowed　and　tunnelled　his
way　fruitlessly　through　the　heart　of　Cinchare　for　eleven　weeks；　only　to　have　Aemos　casually　present　him　with　the　Lith's　location。　And
we　had　gone　deep　into　the　mines　to　find　Bure　only　to　learn　that　what　I　had　come　to　Cinchare　for　had　been　safely　locked　away　in　the
annex　of　the　Adeptus　Mechanicus　all　along；　had　I　but　looked　for　it。
IT　TOOK　THIRTY　hours　for　the　ailing　translithopede　to　make　its　way　back　to　the　surface。　Once　we'd　broken　through　the　blue　gypnate
crust　at　the　Imperial　Allied　mineworks；　I　sent　Aemos　and　Medea　back　to　the　cutter　to　check　in　with　Bequin　and　the　others；　still　waiting
aboard　the　Essene　at　high　orbit。　I　hoped　they　hadn't　done　anything　foolish　in　my　absence。
BURE　TOOK　ME　to　the　annex。　His　encoded　touch　brought　the　sanctum　to　life；　and　lit　long　hallways　to　either　side　of　the　Mechanicus
chapel。　He　led　me　down　one　of　these；　the　illumination　plates　still　flickering　as　they　warmed　up　after　such　a　prolonged　period　of　disuse。
The　magos　linked　his　thoracic　neural　cables　to　a　wall　socket　and　disengaged　a　lock。　A　heavy；　armoured　door　slid　open。　Then　another；
inside　the　first；　then　a　third；　a　sturdy　iris　valve　that　withdrew　segmentally　into　the　wall　frame　with　a　noise　like　swords　sheathing。
'This　is　what　you　want；'　said　Bure。　'He　has　been　most　informative；　over　the　years。'
'I'll　review　your　reports　later；　magos；'　I　said。　'Leave　me　with　him　now。'
Bure　withdrew。
I　stepped　through　the　iris　valve　and　down　three　grilled　steps　into　the　cell；　feeling　the　nauseating　static　prickle　of　the　psychic
dampening　fields。　Every　surface　was　dusted　with　ice…crystals。　There　was　a　crackle　of　synaptic　energy。
'Hello；　Eisenhorn；'　said　a　hollow；　vox…projected　voice。　It　came　from　a　casket　that　squatted　on　a　basalt　block　in　the　centre　of　the　room。
Both　casket　and　stone　were　caked　in　ice。　Tiny　lights　darted　and　blinked　inside　the　casket's　open　lid。
I　prepared　myself。　Then　I　replied。
'Pontius　Glaw。　We　meet　again。'
TWENTY
INTERVIEW　WITH　THE　DAMNED。
BURE；　WARSMITH。
ORBUL　INFANTA。
'LET　ME　MAKE　sure　I　understand　you；　Eisenhorn；'　said　the　disembodied　voice　of　Pontius　Glaw；　slowly　and　contemptuously。　'You　think
I'm　going　to　help　you？'
I　cleared　my　throat。　'Yes。'
Pontius　laughed。　Synapse　leads　connected　to　the　gold　circuits　of　his　engram　sphere　flashed　in　series。　'I　didn't　think　a　man　of　such
studied　dullness　and　sobriety　as　you　would　have　the　ability　to　surprise　me；　Eisenhorn。　My　mistake。'
'You　will　help　me；'　I　said；　quietly　but　emphatically。
I　brushed　frost　from　the　grilled　steps　and　sat　down　facing　his　casket。　It　was　claw…footed；　rectangular；　compact　and　filled　with　complex
technology　designed　for　one　purpose：　the　support　and　operation　of　the　engram　sphere；　a　rough…cut　nugget　the　size　of　a　clenched　fist　in
which　resided　the　intellect　…　and　perhaps　the　soul　…　of　one　of　the　most　notorious　heretics　in　the　Imperium。
Pontius　Glaw；　dead　in　body　for　nigh　on　three　hundred　years；　had　been　in　his　physical　life　one　of　the　more　unwholesome　products　of
the　powerful　Glaw　dynasty。　That　family　line；　part　of　the　high　nobility　of　Gudrun；　had　whelped　many　heretics　in　its　time；　the　last　of
whom　had　been　instrumental　in　the　affair　of　the　Necroteuch。　Supported　by　the　considerable　efforts　of　Imperial　Navy　Security；　I　had　all
but　crushed　their　poisonous　lineage；　and　in　the　process　had　captured　the　engram　sphere　of　Pontius　Glaw。
His　family　and　their　minions　had　attempted　to　sacrifice　thousands　of　innocents　in　order　to　restore　him　to　physicality。　That；　too；　I　had
denied。

Once　the　affair　had　ended；　I　had　been　left　with　this　casket　full　of　heretical　spite。　In　terms　of　technology　alone；　it　was　a　wonder；　and
there　was　no　telling　what　secrets　the　Pontius　might　have　in　it。　So　instead　of　destroying　it；　I　had　passed　it　into　the　safekeeping　of　Magos
Geard　Bure。　Bure；　I　knew；　would　have　the　time　and　skill　enough　to　unlock　its　technical　marvels　at　least。　And　he　was　trustworthy。
But　from　time　to　time　in　that　past　hundred　years；　I　had　questioned　the　validity　of　that　decision。　In　all　honesty；　I　should　have
surrendered　the　Pontius　to　the　Ordo　Hereticus　for　examination　and　disposal。　The　fact　that　I　hadn't　sometimes　played　on　my
conscience；　for　it　suggested　deceit　and　unwholesome　subterfuge　on　my　part。　In　the　light　of　events　in　the　past　year；　I　found　myself
fighting　back　the　notion　that　perhaps　my　accusers　were　right。　Had　it　been　the　act　of　an　unsound　man　to　secret　away　such　a　radical
entity？

Aemos　had　consoled　my　spirits；　reminding　me　that　the　casket　utilised　mind…impulse　technology　undoubtedly　stolen　from　the　Cult
Mechanicus。　There　was；　he　said；　no　question　that　such　a　device　should　be　in　the　custody　of　the　Adeptus　priesthood。
'Go　on　then；'　Pontius　said。　'Make　your　case。　Why　would　I　help　you？'
'I　require　specialist　information　that　I'm　certain　you　have。　Certain　lore。'

'You　are　an　inquisitor；　Eisenhorn。　All　the　resources　of　the　Imperium　are　at　your　disposal。　Am　I　to　understand　that；　well；　that　your
scope　has　become　somewhat　limited？'
I　was　damned　if　I　was　going　to　tell　this　monster　of　the　straits　I　was　in。　And　even　though　he　was　right　in　a　way；　there　was　no　Imperial
archive　I　knew　of　that　could　answer　my　questions。
'What　I　need　might　be　regarded　as…　proscribed　knowledge。'
'Ahhhhh…'
'What？　〃Ah〃　what？'
Even　without　features　or　body　language　to　read；　Pontius　seemed　insufferably　pleased　with　himself。　'So　you've　finally　reached　that
place。　How　wonderful。'
'What　place？'　I　felt　uncomfortable。　I　had　been　planning　this　interview　for　months；　and　now　control　was　slipping　entirely　to　Glaw。
'The　place　where　you　cross　the　line。'
'I　hav—'
'All　inquisitors　cross　the　line　eventually。'
'I　tell　y—'
'All　of　them。　It's　an　occupational　hazard。'
'Listen　to　me；　you　worthless—'
'Methinks　Inquisitor　Eisenhorn　protests　too　much。　The　line；　Gregor。　The　line！　The　line　between　order　and　chaos；　between　right　and
wrong；　between　mankind　and　man…unkind。　I　know　it；　because　I've　crossed　it。　Willingly；　of　course。　Gladly。　Skipping　and　dancing　and
delighting。　For　the　likes　of　you；　it　is　a　more　painful　process。'
I　rose。　'I　don't　think　this　conversation　is　going　anywhere；　Glaw。　I'm　leaving。'
'So　soon？'
'Perhaps　I'll　be　back　in　another　century　or　two。'
'It　was　on　Quenthus　Eight；　in　the　spring　of　019。M41。'
I　paused　at　the　cell　hatchway。　'What　was？'
'The　moment　I　crossed　the　line。　Would　you　like　to　hear　about　it？'
I　was　rattled；　but　I　returned　to　my　seat　on　the　steps。　I　knew　what　he　was　doing。　Imprisoned　in　his　casket　without　touch　or　smell　or
taste；　without　any　sensory　stimulation；　Pontius　Glaw　craved　company　and　conversation。　I　had　learned　that　much　during　my　long
interrogations　of　him　aboard　the　Essene　ten　decades　before　during　the　voyage　to　the　remote　system　KCX…1288。　Now　he　was　simply
feeding　me　morsels　to　make　me　stay　and　talk　to　him。
However；　in　a　hundred　years　of　captivity　he　had　never　come　close　to　revealing　such　intimate　details　of　his　personal　history。
'019。M41。　A　busy　year。　The　buttress　worlds　of　the　far　eastern　rim　were　resisting　a　Holy　Waaagh　by　the　greenskins；　and　two　of　the
High　Lords　of　Terra　had　been　assassinated　in　as　many　months　by　disaffected　Imperial　families。　There　was　talk　of　civil　war。　The
subsector's　trader　markets　had　crashed。　Trade　was　bad。　What　a　year。　Saint　Drache　was　martyred　on　Koryn